Oktoberfest: A Taste Of Germany In New Britain

An elaborate Oktoberfest celebration is being held downtown over the Sept. 12 to 14 weekend, with live entertainment, food and children's activities.

Among the highlights are a hot dog eating contest, a Miss Oktoberfest pageant and what's described as the Hofbrau stein-hoisting competition. Contestants in that one will compete to see who can hold up a full stein of beer the longest, and the winner will get a chance for a trip to Munich.

Nick Augustino, owner of the popular East Side Restaurant, is the chief promoter of the festival, and has enrolled a series of community organizations to help out.

The New Britain Lions and New Britain Rotary Club are participating, and the festival is scheduling volunteer workers from Friends of Football, the Klingberg Family Center, the Greater New Britain Arts Alliance, the Lions Club of Southington and the New Britain High School parent-teacher organization.

What's being billed as the state's largest chicken dance is scheduled for Sept. 14 at 4:30 p.m., and the "test your strength" contest with beer steins will begin Sept. 12 with a final round on Sept. 13.

Organizers promise three stages with a steady series of entertainment from polka to folk songs and music by cover and tribute bands. They expect 20 to 30 food vendors with German, Polish, Puerto Rican, Thai and other cuisines along with novelty items.

"If it's stuffed, fried, baked, broiled or grilled, you'll find it downtown this weekend," organizers said in a statement.

There will be German and American beers, wine and Avery's soda. Children's games and activities are scheduled, too.

A map along with complete schedule of activities for all three days is at http://ctoktoberfest.com.

Earlier this year, city officials and organizers resolved a financial dispute arising from downtown's first Oktoberfest, which was held last year. It was heavily attended, but led to criticism of then-Mayor Tim O'Brien for agreeing to a contract that appeared to leave the city on the hook for many costs.

The city said the festival owed more than $60,000 for overtime work by public safety and public works employees; organizers ultimately paid the bill.